The Lakota Local Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to employ Mr. Matthew Miller as the next superintendent of Ohio’s eighth largest public school district this evening. The vote took place during a special meeting where Miller and his family were present.

“We are ecstatic to have such a tremendous educational leader at the helm of our school district,” said Board President Ben Dibble. “He is a visionary leader who will not only help us create great opportunities for students, but will also maintain the great value our residents expect.”

Miller’s contract officially begins June 15, 2017 with 1.5 months as interim superintendent followed by five years as superintendent. He will be in the district up to 15 days as part of the transition prior to the official start of his contract Aug. 1. His base salary is $169,900 and will be fixed at that rate for the entirety of the contract. In addition, the board included a longevity stipend that Miller only receives if he completes all five years of his contract.

“Mr. Miller is a highly sought after candidate,” Dibble noted. “He’s been named to the National School Boards Association’s “Top 20 to Watch” in the nation and was also selected to present at the White House for the #GoOpen initiative on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology. He is a national talker with TEDx and completed the Leadership Institute of Superintendents at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

“We want this to be a long-term relationship so that Lakota students, staff, parents and community members can be assured that we will have strong and consistent leadership in our top position,” Dibble said.

Mr. Miller’s superintendent experience spans 12 years. He offers 17 years of administrative experience, serving as both a principal and director of student services and instruction before becoming a superintendent. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Cincinnati.

“The board has been so impressed by the incredible level of talent displayed by all the candidates throughout this search,” noted Dibble. “Mr. Miller distinguished himself as an energetic educator who could successfully lead our district for many years to come. We are excited to see the amazing opportunities he and the rest of the staff at Lakota Local Schools will create for our students and our community.”

Miller and his wife, Kristy, have two children. Their son, Mason, is a junior at the University of Cincinnati and their daughter, Jessica, is a senior at Mentor High School. She plans to enroll as a freshman at the University of Cincinnati in the fall. The Millers intend to begin looking for housing in the Lakota Local School District in the near future.